Temple

Arankele Temple

Province

North Western

District

Kurunagala

Nearest Town

Kurunagala

Period

6th century

Ruler

-

Introduction

Arankele, 24km north of kuruneglala (west of the Ibbagamuwa - Moragolla gama Rd) has a 6th century cave hermitage up a forested hillside. Ancient Brahmi donative inscription have revealed meditation halls, stone-faced double platform structures and ambulatories for the Tapovana(Forest-dwelling) sect of austere Buddhist hermits here. Typically, the platforms aligned east-west, with the entrance porch to the east, would be bridged by a large monolith. The smaller of the double platform structure here was probably divided into nine 'cells' or monks' dwellings the roof being supported on columns.